<b>Chapter </b><b>185 </b>
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Skye’s POV
As soon as Elder Selene hung up, the line went dead with a sharp click. Adrian lowered the phone slowly, his jaw tight.
I sat up fast, the hotel robe slipping slightly from my shoulder. “Adrian, we still have time. If we book the next flight now, <b>we </b>can make it back before the trial starts.”
He shook his head, not looking at me right away. His eyes were fixed on the wall like he was trying to burn a hole through it. “Victor works for the North American Council. He kidnapped you. That means the Council has blood on their hands too. They don’t get to brush this off like it’s nothing.”
Before I could argue, his phone buzzed again. He checked the screen. “It’s Xavier.”
He picked up.
“Adrian!” Xavier’s voice was upbeat. “Lydia told me Skye’s safe<b>. </b><b>Is </b>that true?”
I leaned toward the phone. “Yes.”
Adrian nced at me, his expression softening. “Actually, it wasn’t me who saved her. She escaped on her own.”
There was a pause, then Xavier’s voice came back loud and impressed. “No way! That’s incredible! Skye, you have to tell me everything when you’re back.”
I smiled, but Adrian’s face had already hardened again.
Xavier continued, “So… the final trial’s tomorrow. Did you book your flight yet?”
Adrian answered without hesitation. “I’m not leaving Port Artemis until Victor is caught.” <fnd9e2> The rightful source is Find[?]ovel</fnd9e2>
“What?” Xavier sounded like he couldn’t believe what he just heard. “Can’t that wait? Just until the trial’s over?”
“No,” Adrian said. “That bastard nearly killed her. I won’t give him a single day of freedom.”
There was silence for a second. Then Adrian sat up straighter. “Actually… I need your help.”
“I’m listening.”
“I tried to get the trial dyed, but Selene wouldn’t budge. I want you to talk to her. Help me convince her. You know how to deal with the Council.”
Xavier didn’t even hesitate. “I’m in. This isn’t just about you and Skye. The Council dropped the ball here.”
When Adrian ended the call, he stood and turned to me.
“You should get some rest. I need to send an email–to the Council and the Alpha King. If they won’t dy the trial, we’ll take it public. We’ll file a formalint and leak everything to the media. Poor hiring standards, no background checks, zero security. Let the whole
11:28 <b>Sat</b>, <b>Oct </b><b>4 </b>
werewolfmunity see what kind of mess they let walk through their doors.”
I nodded, but rest wasn’t on my mind.
I curled up on the couch, a tray of food in front of me—hotel room service: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed broli, and a warm buttered roll. A small bowl of fruit sat to the side.
I picked at the chicken, stealing nces at Adrian, who sat hunched at the desk, typing nonstop. The glow from theptop lit up the sharp lines of his face. His brows were drawn together, lips pressed into a tight line.
He paused once to read something, then resumed typing even faster.
I chewed slowly<i>, </i>the food warm and good, but not enough to distract me from the tension that filled the room. The minutes dragged.
Then Adrian’s phone rang again.
He snatched it up. “This is Adrian.”
Elder Selene’s voice crackled through the speaker, sharper than ever.
“Alpha Adrian. After discussion with the other Elders, we’ve decided to grant a dy. Three days. That’s the most you’ll get. This is a rare exception. In return, I expect you to drop all threats andints.”
I jumped up from the couch and leaned in toward the phone. “Really? Thank you!”
There was a pause on the other end. “Is that Beta Skye? You sound… lively. Didn’t seem like a near–death situation to me.” Her tone was dry. “You two are young. You like to make a fuss over everything.”
My smile froze.
Adrian’s face darkened. “So what? We have to wait until someone dies before you take your responsibilities seriously? You hired Victor. He was under your roof. You didn’t screen him, didn’t notice the signs, didn’t protect her. That’s not a ‘fuss.‘ That’s a failure.”
I reached out and touched his arm. “Adrian. It’s okay.”
I took the phone from him before he could say anything else. “Elder Selene, we appreciate the extension. We’ll be there on time, in three days. Thank you for helping us.”
She sniffed. “Just make sure it’s worth it.”
Then the line went dead again.
I turned back to Adrian and threw my arms around his neck. “We did it!” I kissed his cheek, then smiled against his skin.
His arms wrapped tightly around me, pulling me closer<b>. </b>He lifted me off the ground and carried me back toward the bed.
“One kiss<b>?</b>” he murmured near my ear. “That’s all I get?<b>” </b>
Iughed, but it caught in my throat when I saw the way he was looking at me.
11:28 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>4</b><b>. </b>
“Adrian…”
…
His eyes were dark, warm, full of something that made my heart skip.
“I’ll be gentle,” he said softly. “Let me make it up to you.”
Then, slowly, Adrian untied my robe.
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